With startup businesses increasing in popularity, we thought we’d focus on the world of homegrown businesses on the big screen.
That moment when a small idea grows into something big. With startup businesses increasing in popularity, we thought we’d focus on the world of homegrown businesses on the big screen with this article. If there’s one thing movies are good at, it’s inspiring people. So if you fancy yourself an entrepreneur, then maybe these films will be the light bulb you need to spark your next big idea.
1. The Social Network
While hearing someone mention Facebook or Meta today might make you think of a major corporation, this business began like any other. The Social Network brings to life Mark Zuckerberg’s billion-dollar enterprise, from the birth of the idea in his dorm room at Harvard to its evolution into the major company that we know today.
This is an excellent film to watch for anyone looking to start their own company as it helps remind that even the biggest corporations had humble beginnings. It can also show that building a business from the ground up isn’t easy, as is portrayed by the many hurdles that Jesse Eisenberg’s Zuckerberg struggled with throughout the film. However, even with the many struggles he faced, he still managed to grow his small idea into a global phenomenon.
2. Joy
Joy is a biographical comedy-thriller from 2015 about the self-made millionaire who created the Miracle Mop, Joy Mangano. The film, starring Jennifer Lawrence, follows Joy throughout her life, from childhood to being a struggling, single mom in Long Island. Throughout her life, Joy faced a number of setbacks and challenges, and yet she still managed to achieve success and turn her simple idea of a self-wringing mop into a major business empire.
This film is a must-watch as it shows that you don’t have to come from a family of money or be a man to turn your idea into something successful. Joy faced a lot of resistance and didn’t come from wealth, and yet, despite facing a male-dominated industry of gatekeepers, she persevered.
3. The Intern
Another great example of a woman growing her small business into a successful empire is The Intern. While the main character in this movie is Robert De Niro’s Ben Whittaker — a 70-year-old retiree who is looking to get back into the professional world — it also does a great job of highlighting the ups and downs that come with running your own company as a working mom.
Anne Hathaway plays Jules Ostin, the CEO and founder of an e-commerce fashion company that exploded into a major success in only 18 months. While the film does a great job of highlighting her success, it also shows the darker sides of running your own business. In the movie, Hathaway’s Jules has a stay-at-home husband and a daughter who are feeling a little left behind.
While the movie has plenty of humor, it does provide some insights on how to balance work with your daily personal life. The film demonstrates the importance of making time for yourself as well as your business when you are an entrepreneur by assessing your priorities, learning to say no, and scheduling time for hobbies and family.
4. The Pursuit of Happyness
The Pursuit of Happyness is another biographical drama that follows the story of entrepreneur Chris Gardner and his journey from being homeless with a kid to becoming a stockbroker. Gardner, played by Will Smith, faces some of the biggest hurdles of all, including homelessness, discrimination, financial instability, and being a single parent, all while trying to achieve the American dream.
There is much to love about this film and Smith’s outstanding acting, but if nothing else, it is profoundly inspiring for those who might also be facing what might seem like their own insurmountable obstacles. Smith shows that through sheer determination, passion and unbreakable spirit, you can still achieve your dreams, no matter what setbacks you face.
5. The Founder
The Founder, based on the true story of the McDonald’s franchise, is a film that documents the conflicting visions between the original owners of the first McDonald’s restaurant, and Ray Kroc, a milkshake machine salesman who sees the potential in the restaurant’s unique business model.
The McDonalds brothers confess to Kroc that they had tried to franchise their restaurant, with its unique focus on speed and family friendliness, but were unable to do so successfully. Kroc strikes a deal to lead the new franchising efforts and is able to greatly expand the business. This is because Kroc is able to make and execute a solid marketing plan by highlighting the unique selling propositions of the business and identifying the target market for the franchise. Kroc capitalizes on the family-friendly atmosphere of McDonalds along with it’s unique speedy serving system. He also recognizes that, as opposed to trying to appeal to wealthy investors, his target audience is instead middle class individuals who are more driven to have their individual restaurants succeed.
However, this film is a cautionary tale, as – perhaps surprisingly – infighting erupts between Kroc and the McDonalds brothers over the future of the business and how to lead the company. The ending is a testament to how both innovation, sales savviness but also persistence and ambition can create a highly successful company.
In Summary
There are plenty of other films out there like the ones above that can inspire and offer insight if you are on your own entrepreneurial journey. Each film offers its own unique perspective into what it’s like to turn a small dream into a big reality, and the many obstacles you might face along the way and how to overcome them. So if you are looking for a touch of inspiration, there is no place better to turn for ideas than the silver screen.